Theater Review: Spotlight Stage Company "Spelling Bee"

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Late in 2018, Spotlight Stage Company became one of the newest additions to the Connecticut theater community. The focus of the company is on creating a place for performers of all ages and skill levels to continue to grow and flourish in a professional setting, and they encourage members of the community to become part of the process of creating a production with them. The artistic director is Christopher Zullo, with Sandy Mascia as executive director and community theater performer and WCSU grad Vinny McCoy serving as the production manager of the company.

So it felt very appropriate that the show chosen for the group’s 13th production is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” is a fast-paced crowd pleaser that requires four audience members to take to the stage as “guest spellers.”

“Spelling Bee” is a winner of both the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book and it continues to charm audiences across the country with its truly effortless wit and humor that becomes more charming with each new production. The book by Rachel Sheinkin and a fresh and fun score by William Finn never gets old, even when the lines and lyrics become very familiar.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of their young lifetime. As they candidly disclose hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words. Of course, every speller hopes never to hear the soul-crushing "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter, but only one can leave as a champion, and *spoiler alert, it is not and will never be one of the guest spellers.

Stephen Amato is the director for this production and his passion for this show is evident in the result. I loved that some of the spellers enter and exit through the house and that the remaining spellers drift on and off the stage during the “snack break” intermission– in character, of course. The director notes that he tells artists at the beginning of the audition process that “you are not here because you have something to prove, you are here because you have something to share.”

Ethan Valencia as Leaf Coneybear is a riot as he performs “I’m Not That Smart.” Valencia recently played Hanschen in Spring Awakening in Brookfield. Olivia Davenport, a 25-year-old actress from Cromwell who is a 2019 graduate of SCSU, is a beautifully plaintive Olive Ostrovsky. Stratford native Mick Gloss, with several NTC credits, plays the former champion Chip Tolentino, minus the Scout uniform. There was a mic issue during “My Unfortunate Erection” but we still laughed

Shayna Amato shines in the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrudeniere, the child of two dads, played by Valencia and Gloss. Amato holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Wright State University and has been part of the National Tours of “JCS,” and “Junie B. Jones/Skippyjon Jones.” She will be seen as the Witch in the upcoming Castle Craig Players production of “Into the Woods.”

“I Speak Six Languages” is brought to life by Trisha McCoy as Marcy Park, who most certainly is all business until she gives herself permission to not live up to expectations. Trisha, who has performed across Connecticut in many theaters, makes her Spotlight debut and also served as choreographer.

It was such a treat for me to see Nolan Cummings, a graduate of WAMS from Wolcott, back on the stage again in the wonderful role of William Barfee. Now 25 years of age, this marks his first time onstage in six years. He hilariously uses his “Magic Foot” and is part of the beautiful trio for “The I Love You Song.”

Stephen Kalpin, an actor and playwright from Hartford, does well as Douglas Panch, the vice principal with some issues.Terri Weiss Davenport, the mother of Olivia, has a lovely voice that she shows off to portray Rona Lisa Peretti. The theater veteran has performed in shows from Westchester County to Hartford county.

Kuhlken Gorman, who I remembered from Arts at Angeloria’s productions, does his best to be intimidating as the “comfort counselor” Mitch Mahoney, and then gets to appear to Marcy as Jesus.

Beckie Wallace acted as music director, driving a long distance to teach the singers the often challenging music, which they performed with recorded accompaniment. First-time Spotlight stage manager Jim Ryan briefed all of us guest spellers on how to proceed when our name was called.

Sound design by Adam Schofield-Bodt worked well and the costumes designed by Shayna Amato added details to each of the characters, as did the props designed by Joanie Amato. Leaf’s cape designed in quadrants was so much fun.

At one of the final dress rehearsals that I was invited to attend, the losers got a juice pouch and a gift bag from the presenting sponsor, Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union.

Spotlight Stage Company will present performances on May 4, 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. at the High Lane Club in North Haven. Patrons should be aware that this venue is a historic building and is not handicap accessible. Everyone must be able to walk up one flight of stairs to get to the theater space. There is no elevator or lift, nor a sign to head upstairs to your table.

When booking your tickets at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/71561?fbclid=IwAR2ykkm5d6DcFh5v7..., please note the venue is quite large and tables will be spaced further apart. Doors open one hour ahead of curtain at 6 p.m. and seating is cabaret style. The great space is decorated like a school.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.